Princess's Struggle for Survival-Chapter 218: Gala Event of New Year

At 3:40 PM, the magic-powered airship completed its circumnavigation of the city.

Under Professor Elandor’s careful control, the two-story aerial behemoth landed smoothly in a field near Charlotte’s estate.

Hibbort stepped down the wooden staircase, glanced back at the airship bathed in sunlight, and spoke in a calm voice.

"Charlotte, does this airship have a name?"

Charlotte nodded. "It hasn’t been named yet. If Your Majesty has a good suggestion, please let me know."

Hibbort pondered for a moment before speaking in a low tone.

"What do you think of..."

"...the Fearless?"

The fifth emperor of the Valeria Empire had vigorously developed maritime navigation, ultimately establishing a fleet centered around the "Fearless" that opened a route from the empire to the Pan-Human Alliance. With this achievement, he transformed the kingdom into an empire and took the title of emperor.

Hibbort’s choice of name not only honored Charlotte and Elandor’s groundbreaking invention but also expressed his own view: the development of magic-devices required their fearless spirit of exploration.

"As Your Majesty wishes," Charlotte agreed softly.

Hibbort nodded in satisfaction and then added.

"I hope Countess Charlotte will attend tonight’s banquet on time..."

The Valeria Empire had a tradition of holding New Year’s Eve balls, and this would be the perfect opportunity to share his experiences from the airship with everyone.

Charlotte smiled politely, glanced at Astrid standing behind the emperor, and said.

"I will."

----------

The darkness of deep winter always arrives faster than expected.

In the Capital, within the third princess’s palace, Astrid sat in front of her vanity, gazing at the encroaching night outside the window.

She tilted her head slightly, allowing Lyra behind her to adjust her hair ribbon more easily.

It was 6:40 PM, just twenty minutes before the evening gala began.

The afternoon’s ribbon-cutting ceremony had gone smoothly.

The magic-powered airship had successfully completed its trial flight around the capital, astonishing almost all the guests. Many with foresight also recognized the immense potential it held.

"Princess Astrid, is this position for the ribbon okay?" Lyra’s fingers combed through the smooth, silky silver hair, securing the ribbon and carefully tugging at the lace edges to ensure it wouldn’t slip with movement.

Looking at the exquisitely beautiful silver-haired girl in the mirror, Astrid slightly lifted her chin, her fingers gliding down her neck to smooth the collar of her dress over her collarbone.

"Yes, that’s fine."

Normally, Charlotte wouldn’t attend the palace’s New Year’s Eve gala.

The countess, who had risen to her position through her own abilities and contributions to the empire rather than her status, disliked frequent socializing, especially with the old nobility who indulged in leisure without ambition.

In a way, Charlotte and Fanya were both proud individuals. They preferred to do practical things for the empire and its people rather than hobnobbing with the powerful at banquets.

However, tonight’s gala was different. As the primary creator of the magic-powered airship and having received a personal invitation from the emperor, Countess Charlotte Ashwell was undoubtedly the star of the evening.

Feeling her hair being lifted, causing a slight chill at the back of her neck, Astrid took a sip of hot tea to moisten her throat and glanced at the pile of parchment beside her, a slight smile playing on her lips.

These were the documents she had prepared in advance.

If the plan succeeded, next week would see a flood of promotional interviews.

It seemed the effort wasn’t in vain. She would arrange interviews with Lydia and other reformist nobles to ensure the news of the airship’s successful trial flight spread far and wide.

Lyra carefully combed Astrid’s long hair, and when she looked up, she saw the reflection of the woman’s long, delicate eyelashes in the mirror. After drinking the tea, Astrid’s lips, as if glazed, shimmered with an intoxicating light.

Quickly averting her gaze and lowering her head, Lyra knelt on one knee, gently grasping Astrid’s slender calf, which was wrapped in sheer black stockings.

Astrid’s delicate feet were encased in black lace-up heels with intricate patterns, her fair toes hidden beneath the shoe’s surface, only the smooth, white instep visible through the sheer fabric.

Lyra’s hands grasped the ribbons on the heels, gently looping them around the ankles and tying a beautiful bow at the back.

"Princess Astrid, please try walking in them."

Astrid listened and gently moved her legs, the milky-white ribbons swaying with the motion.

The air carried the crisp fragrance of chilled roses. As Lyra gazed at the black-stockinged legs, gleaming like finely cut gems, her mind wandered to the pastry room, where beautifully wrapped cakes sat adorned with dainty ribbons, concealing the tender sweetness inside.

"That’s fine." Astrid stood up, answering softly.

There might be dancing tonight, and these shoes weren’t particularly uncomfortable, at least much better than the ones she wore this morning.

Glancing at the clock and realizing it was getting late, Astrid and Lyra, now dressed and ready, left the room. As they stepped into the corridor, they saw the head maid, Elise, standing at the door.

"Is Livia resting?" Astrid asked.

"Miss Astrid, Livia is reading," Elise replied with her usual calmness, her lead-black eyes silently watching the princess, who was about to attend the gala in full attire.

Astrid nodded lightly and said, "Then I’ll go in and speak with her for a moment."

With that, Astrid entered Amalia’s room, leaving the two maids waiting outside.

Since Hibbort would also be attending the New Year’s Eve gala, and Astrid planned to use this opportunity to discuss the future of magic devices with the neutral faction, it wasn’t convenient to bring Amalia along.

Elise needed to stay in the palace to look after Amalia and wouldn’t be attending. Thus, only Astrid and Lyra, as her personal maid, would be attending the gala.

It was unclear what exactly the princesses discussed in the room, but after a few minutes, Astrid left Amalia’s bedroom, her voice soft.

"Let’s go to the ballroom."

The ballroom wasn’t far from the third princess’s palace, just two corridors away. Led by the servants, Astrid arrived at her destination.

Before even pushing the door open, she could hear the melodious sound, accompanied by the harmonious blend of flute and lute.

Pushing open the bronze palace doors, almost all eyes turned to Astrid Calliste as she gracefully entered.

The imperial princess wore a black silk dress with rose patterns near the chest, adorned with lilac lace edging that framed her fair, ample bosom.

A luxurious silver necklace hung around her smooth, delicate neck, complementing the silver brooch on her left chest. The ruby at the bottom of the necklace rested perfectly on her chest, gently swaying with her movements.

Further down, the dress clung to her slender waist, the sheer fabric not fully covering her knees, revealing her smooth legs encased in midnight-colored stockings. Her pure black high heels clicked rhythmically on the floor.

Sensing the admiring gazes around her, Astrid chose to ignore them, scanning the crowd for Charlotte.

Perhaps "scanning" wasn’t the right word, as Countess Charlotte was no less dazzling than the empire’s gem tonight.

She wore a dark green backless gown, her jet-black hair cascading down her back, partially concealing her alluring shoulder blades. Her long, shapely legs were sheathed in transparent stockings, glowing softly under the lights.

Elegant and graceful, Astrid could spot her at a glance among the guests.

"Good evening, Lady Charlotte."

Walking over to the countess in her high heels, Astrid lifted her skirt slightly, her voice gentle.

Seeing the poised silver-haired princess before her, and the familiar pure black ribbon in her hair, Charlotte smiled softly and reached out to take Astrid’s hand.

"Good evening..."

"My dear Princess Astrid."

Unlike their usual private chats under the covers, surrounded by guests, Charlotte naturally couldn’t use the intimate nickname "Little Astr."

However, the suffix "Your Highness" was unnecessary, a clear improvisation on Charlotte’s part.

Hearing this, Astrid’s lips curled into a smile as she leaned closer to Charlotte. Their scents mingled, creating a fragrant, intoxicating aroma.

"Lady Charlotte doesn’t call me that in private~" Astrid said softly.

Charlotte’s joy was evident tonight. In good spirits, even the usually hidden feminine charm beneath her mature demeanor was on full display.

Hearing Astrid’s words, Charlotte blinked her beautiful eyes, her fingers brushing away a stray silver hair that had fallen on Astrid’s skin.

"Then what would you like me to call you?"

With that, Charlotte pulled Astrid into an embrace, her arm gently encircling her waist.

Feeling the warmth and softness of Charlotte’s body, Astrid returned the embrace with equal intensity, their legs brushing against each other, the fabric of their dresses and stockings creating a soft, rustling sound.

The next moment, Astrid heard Charlotte whisper softly in her ear.

"Little Astr~"

The gentle tone, accompanied by the faint scent of wood, made Astrid’s ears burn, even though she hadn’t had a drink yet.

However, Astrid quickly suppressed this strange sensation, leaning close to Charlotte’s ear, her lips parting to exhale warm, fragrant breath.

"Lady Charlotte, you look beautiful tonight, and..."

"...you smell wonderful."

Hearing this, Charlotte’s neck turned slightly red, realizing she had been outdone by Astrid.

This young girl was so adept at compliments; she would surely captivate many young men and women in the future.

Standing in the corner, Lyra watched the scene, her sky-blue eyes lowered, lost in thought.

After the embrace, Charlotte and Astrid chatted for a bit longer. Then, the ballroom doors opened again, and a golden-haired man in luxurious attire, holding a scepter, entered the venue.

Hibbort Valeria’s arrival marked the official start of the gala.

---As Astrid had anticipated, Hibbort’s invitation to Charlotte was a clear signal of his support for the reformists.

At the start of the gala, he not only expressed his recognition and encouragement for the magic-powered airship in his speech but also hailed Charlotte’s invention as a groundbreaking achievement.

Once the well-wishers had dispersed somewhat, Astrid approached Charlotte, her tone light with amusement.

"Congratulations, Lady Charlotte."

Their glasses clinked in the air, the crimson liquid swaying gently.

"From what Father implied, if Lady Charlotte can achieve more in the field of magic-powered machinery, you might ascend even further," Astrid remarked, taking a sip of her wine, the sharp click of her heels echoing on the tiles.

Charlotte had once been ennobled as a countess for her contributions to improving noble life. If she could develop magic-powered machinery that transformed the empire, becoming a Marquess would not be out of reach, much like Astrid’s mother, Marquess Fanya, who had made significant contributions to the empire.

Of course, while the title of Marquess was nominally just below that of a duke, it came without territorial holdings, though it did grant a substantial monthly stipend from the treasury and enviable social standing.

"Then I’ll thank you in advance for your blessings, Astrid."

Charlotte swirled her wine glass, her fair fingertips catching the light, refracting a crystalline glow.

After sharing a drink with Charlotte, Astrid tactfully made room for other guests.

Tonight marked not only the end of the year but also the dawn of a new Chapter in magic-powered machinery.

Many would undoubtedly want to discuss related topics with Charlotte.

Sure enough, within minutes, Astrid noticed the Minster of Finance, Florence, approaching Charlotte, speaking earnestly.

From her vantage point, Astrid could discern Florence inquiring about the airship’s specifics, maximum altitude, top speed, and the estimated crystal consumption per flight.

It seemed Minister Florence was quite interested.

As Astrid pondered this, she spotted a young woman in a cream-colored dress, her legs clad in white thigh-high stockings. It was Lydia, the second daughter of the Minster of Finance. ƒrēenovelkiss.com

"Princess Astrid..."

Lydia extended her hand, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush.

"May I have the honor of a dance?"

Astrid was momentarily taken aback, then smiled softly.

"Of course."

Taking the girl’s hand, Astrid glanced around. There were plenty of young noblemen in the hall; why had Lydia chosen her?

When Astrid posed the question, Lydia’s response was disarmingly honest.

"Because you’re more beautiful than any of them."

"..."

Astrid was momentarily speechless.

Miss Lydia... truly embodied the essence of being a connoisseur of beauty...

Stepping onto the dance floor, Astrid placed her hand on Lydia’s slender waist, and the two began the courtly dance steps they had learned from their maids.

Watching Astrid, with her silver hair and black dress, exuding elegance like a black swan, Tristian stood at a distance, sipping his wine, his thoughts in turmoil.

Earlier that afternoon, he had boarded the massive airship, as a guest, witnessing the broader applications and advancements in magic-powered machinery.

This was no mere discipline aimed at enhancing the lives of a select few. It was a tool with boundless potential, one that could reshape the empire’s very fabric in the future.

With the emperor now semi-publicly endorsing the development of magic-devices, and Charlotte being a leading expert in the field, the link between these two stood before him.

Astrid Calliste, backed by the royal family and closely allied with Countess Charlotte, aligned with the faction most likely to succeed the crown prince, and with her own proven capabilities in several commercial negotiations.

As his father had said, whether in terms of lineage, eloquence, or her unparalleled beauty, Astrid was an ideal candidate for an alliance.

The soothing strains of the organ continued to fill the hall. As the dance concluded, Astrid stepped off the floor, smiling and chatting with Lydia for a few moments before parting. Then, Tristian approached with a glass in hand.

"Good evening, Princess Astrid."

Seeing him, Astrid responded with equal courtesy.

"Good evening, Lord Tristian."

Tristian’s return to the capital at this time was likely to get a closer look at the much-publicized magic-powered machinery and discuss potential collaborations.

After all, the Velmont family was renowned for its sharp business acumen; they wouldn’t miss the potential value in this.